These Are the Heroes That Won the Medal of Honor in the Battle of Iwo Jima

Military

Published: December 11, 2024 7:55 pm

The Battle of Iwo Jima was fought over a grueling 36 days between February and March of 1945. This battle pitted American marines and sailors against a deeply entrenched Imperial Japanese force. Many U.S. servicemen gave everything over the course of the battle, with their gallantry and heroic deeds forever immortalized in the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. (Who was the most recent Medal of Honor recipient in your state?)

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the Medal of Honor recipients from the Battle of Iwo Jima. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS) to identify the servicemen that were awarded the Medal of Honor in the Battle of Iwo Jima. We included the names of these recipients as well as what branch of the military they served in, the highest rank, the date of medal presentation, and the conflict the recipient was involved in. Recipients are ordered alphabetically, and all information is from the society. Note that some presentation dates were not available from the CMOHS.

It should be noted that within the broader context of World War II that the significance of Iwo Jima extended far beyond its shores. Strategically, the island was important because it provided the U.S. forces a base near the Japanese mainland. From here they could launch bombing raids and stage further invasions. The capture of Iwo Jima marked a turning point in the war, severely impacting Japanese air defenses and shifting the momentum in the Pacific Theater towards the Allies.

The battle itself cost the lives of roughly 7,000 U.S. Marines, with over 19,000 wounded. The Iwo Jima Memorial underscores the sacrifice that these servicemen made in an effort to ensure victory and peace at all costs. This intense and hard-fought battle demonstrated the strategic, symbolic, and human costs of war, while forever etching the bravery of its fighters into American memory. (This World War II battle had by far the most casualties: every major battle ranked.)

Here is a look at the Medal of Honor recipients from the Battle of Iwo Jima:

Why Are We Covering This?

Veterans Day. US soldier. US Army. The United States Armed Forces. American Military

The stories of Medal of Honor recipients and the significance of the medal itself is central to the U.S. military ethos. These recipients and their stories are an inspiration, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.” It’s important to appreciate the profound sacrifices that these men made in service to the nation. The Medal of Honor symbolizes the courage, selflessness, and resilience that define the highest ideals of military service. Again, these stories serve as powerful reminders of the values we aspire to as a society even in the face of adversity.

Charles J. Berry

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Corporal
State accredited: Ohio

William R. Caddy

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: September 8, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Massachusetts

Justice M. Chambers

Medal of Honor action date: February 19-22, 1945
Date of presentation: November 1, 1950
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Colonel
State accredited: Washington D.C.

Darrell S. Cole

Medal of Honor action date: February 19, 1945
Date of presentation: April 17, 1947
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
State accredited: Missouri

Robert H. Dunlap

Medal of Honor action date: February 20-21, 1945
Date of presentation: December 18, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Major
State accredited: Illinois

Ross F. Gray

Medal of Honor action date: February 21, 1945
Date of presentation: April 16, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
State accredited: Alabama

William G. Harrell

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
State accredited: Texas

Rufus G. Herring

Medal of Honor action date: February 17, 1945
Date of presentation: September 17, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant
State accredited: North Carolina

Douglas T. Jacobson

Medal of Honor action date: February 26, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Major
State accredited: New York

Joseph R. Julian

Medal of Honor action date: March 9, 1945
Date of presentation: November 16, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Platoon Sergeant
State accredited: Massachusetts

James D. La Belle

Medal of Honor action date: March 8, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Minnesota

John H. Leims

Medal of Honor action date: March 7, 1945
Date of presentation: June 14, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Second Lieutenant
State accredited: Illinois

Jacklyn H. Lucas

Medal of Honor action date: February 20, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Virginia

Jack Lummus

Medal of Honor action date: March 8, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
State accredited: Texas

Harry L. Martin

Medal of Honor action date: March 26, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
State accredited: Ohio

Joseph J. McCarthy

Medal of Honor action date: February 21, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Brigadier General
State accredited: Illinois

George Phillips

United States Air Force medal of honor with case.

Medal of Honor action date: March 14, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private
State accredited: Missouri

Francis J. Pierce

Medal of Honor action date: March 15-16, 1945
Date of presentation: June 25, 1948
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Pharmacist’s Mate First Class
State accredited: Iowa

Donald J. Ruhl

Medal of Honor action date: February 19-21, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Montana

Franklin E. Sigler

Medal of Honor action date: March 14, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: New Jersey

Tony Stein

Medal of Honor action date: February 19, 1945
Date of presentation: February 19, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Corporal
State accredited: Ohio

George E. Wahlen

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Major
State accredited: Utah

William G. Walsh

Medal of Honor action date: February 27, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Gunnery Sergant
State accredited: Massachusetts

Wilson D. Watson

Medal of Honor action date: February 26-27, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
State accredited: Arkansas

Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams

Medal of Honor action date: February 23, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Chief Warrant Officier Four
State accredited: West Virginia

Jack Williams

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Naval Reserve
Highest rank achieved: Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class
State accredited: Arkansas

John H. Willis

Medal of Honor action date: February 28, 1945
Date of presentation: December 12, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Pharmacist’s Mate First Class
State accredited: Tennessee

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